Strong foundations established for Festival Plaza’s iconic second tower
Built has been appointed as the major construction partner by Walker Corporation to deliver Adelaide’s next iconic commercial tower at Festival Plaza, with site preparation and early works well underway.
The 38-storey development, set to become Adelaide’s largest commercial tower, is advancing towards its final Development Approval (DA) process in March 2025 with the Department for Housing and Urban Development, following the recent approval of the code amendment.
Walker’s decision to engage Built follows the successful completion of Festival Tower, the first tower at Festival Plaza, which was fully leased prior to its official opening last year by the Premier and Governor of South Australia.
Built National Director, Ross Walker, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, reinforcing the strong collaboration between Walker and Built.
“The partnership between Walker and Built is a proven formula for success with our teams collaborating to deliver award winning projects including Festival Tower, Collins Square, Parramatta Square and Walker’s vertical campus for Western Sydney University in Bankstown,” Mr Walker said.
“This final stage of the Festival Plaza project will create over 1,000 construction jobs and include graduate and apprentice programs, mentorship and partnerships between graduates and business leaders, to drive ongoing economic growth in Adelaide.”
Walker Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, David Gallant, said the tower will rival the best commercial buildings in Australia, creating 5000 ongoing jobs for office staff and another 100 retail jobs in its lower floor restaurants, cafes and bars.
“This tower will be an iconic and defining landmark in Adelaide’s skyline, instantly recognisable and admired, and setting the highest benchmark for commercial offices and sustainability outcomes integrated with premium retail experiences,” Mr Gallant said.
“This will be the largest commercial tower in Adelaide, spanning 50,000 m² over 38 levels, to become a prime employment generator for global corporate and government services. Already we have seen strong interest in the leasing program as tenants look to expand their South Australian footprint into modern, flexible and technologically advanced buildings. It certainly helps having the most sustainable building as well.
“Walker are proud to continue our investment in South Australia to help the State grow and prosper and we are passionate about delivering the premium quality which Adelaide deserves as it competes to attract the best companies and jobs to a city brimming with university talent.”
The second tower represents the final stage of the $2 billion Festival Plaza redevelopment, designed to redefine Adelaide’s commercial and retail landscape. The project will feature over 1,000m² of retail space, offering a diverse range of restaurants, cafés, bars, and grab-and-go options for tenants and visitors. A standout feature of the tower’s design is the proposed rooftop bar and restaurant, offering uninterrupted views of the Adelaide Hills.
Walker and Built are leveraging cutting-edge construction technologies, including 3D modelling and pre-fabrication, to enhance efficiency and accelerate project delivery.
This forward-thinking approach will streamline procurement, improve on-site safety, and reduce overall construction timelines, ensuring tenants can occupy the building by 2027.
“We are revolutionising the construction process together by leveraging the use of 3D modelling and pre- fabrication of major construction elements,” Mr Walker said.
“This early engagement with Walker and its design team will allow us to resolve issues in the 3D model before getting on site to make building safer, quicker and more cost efficient.”
The tower is also setting new benchmarks in sustainability, with a design exceeding the latest Commonwealth Government standards. It will be Adelaide’s first commercial building targeting a 6 Star NABERS Energy rating and a 5 Star Green Star rating under the latest, more rigorous criteria—outperforming previous industry benchmarks.
Festival Plaza’s prime location offers exceptional connectivity, ensuring seamless access to transportation networks across Adelaide. The tower’s architectural design has been carefully crafted to complement Parliament House, blending historic and contemporary elements while enhancing key view lines.
With early works well underway, Delta is continuing foundation works into early 2025, preparing for a formal handover to Built. Upon final DA approval, Built will commence superstructure works, paving the way for this landmark commercial precinct to open its doors in 2027.
